GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL: Waynesboro defeats James Buchanan

The first half is in the books and the Waynesboro Maidens’ focus is narrowing on a post-season berth.

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By Lee Goodwin

Waynesboro Record Herald - Waynesboro, PA

By Lee Goodwin

Posted Sep. 25, 2013 at 11:00 AM

By Lee Goodwin
Posted Sep. 25, 2013 at 11:00 AM

WAYNESBORO — The first half is in the books and the Waynesboro Maidens’ focus is narrowing on a post-season berth.

But first, they’ll have to iron out some wrinkles, even after a 3-1 victory against James Buchanan in a Mid-Penn Capital Division match inside the Waynesboro Area Senior High School gym.

“We were sharp the first set,” said Waynesboro coach Kim Saunders after her team’s 25-9, 24-26, 25-16, 25-13 win against the Rockets. “However, we have to hold that killer instinct throughout. We need to keep our opponents down for the duration.”

Hannah Kauffman celebrated her birthday in style, leading Waynesboro at the net with 20 kills. Rachel Eyler and Zoe Harris contributed with nine kills apiece and Megan Biesecker had 30 set assists. Sierra Davies spearheaded the back line with 26 digs.

“Hannah played an aggressive match,” Saunders said. “She regained her leadership form and was working as a thoroughbred should.”

The initial District 3-AAA power ratings were released on Tuesday and the Maidens are on the outside looking in. That was not lost on the team, which shook off a lackluster second set to put away the match in four sets.

“The rankings are out and we’re not where we want to be,” said Saunders, whose team is 22nd in the district. The top 20 teams qualify for the playoffs. “We have to regroup and push forward in the second half of the season.”

It starts Thursday against Big Spring at home. Then, Waynesboro plays six of its final nine matches on the road.

The Maidens looked like they were going to make this match a quick one as they rolled to a 25-9 win in the first set. Waynesboro was dominant at the net and were keeping the ball in play with successful digs and picture-perfect sets by Biesecker.

The Maidens got out to a 3-0 lead and never really looked back. The lead stretched to 11-2 after kills by Lynnae Stine and Kauffman. Waynesboro went on to win easily, punctuated aptly with a kill by Kauffman.

The magic wore off in the second set though. The Maidens struggled on defense and communication as the Rockets scored some easy points and asserted themselves at the net with much more success than the first set.

Waynesboro led 16-10 on a kill by Eyler, but James Buchanan chipped away. The Maidens couldn’t finish after taking a 23-19 lead with JB breaking a 24-all tie with the final two points to avert a potential sweep.

“Defensively, we got passive,” Saunders said. “Next time out, all balls must be aggressively contested. We start the second half of the season Thursday. It’s time to refocus and rededicate ourselves to the fundamentals and discipline that we are capable of.”

Page 2 of 2 - To its credit, Waynesboro refocused in the third set and overcame its biggest opponent in the match — themselves. After taking a semi-commanding lead of 9-3, the Maidens watched almost helplessly as the Rockets made a game out of it, scoring seven of the next 10 points to make it 13-10.

Leading 14-11, Waynesboro scored six straight points with Davies on serve to take a 20-11 lead. JB closed to 21-16, prompting a Maiden time out. After the time out, Waynesboro scored the final four points, culminating in a cross-court kill by Harris and back-to-back kills by Kauffman.

In what proved to be the final set, the Maidens went on a 7-1 run and never looked back en route to a 25-13 win. Waynesboro called time out after giving up four straight points after taking a 23-9 lead. Like the previous set, the Maidens closed out the scoring with consecutive points as Eyler had the honors of scoring the match point.

Waynesboro won the junior varsity match 25-23, 26-24. Ciara Rosenberger had six kills and Kendra Kauffman had four service aces.

NOTES: Waynesboro assistant coach Mark Hollen was with the team for the first time this season after experiencing health issues prior to the start of the regular season. Hollen attended last Tuesday’s home match against Greencastle-Antrim but stayed just briefly. . . Other Mid-Penn Conference teams ranked in the AAA power ratings were Gettysburg (3rd), Cumberland Valley (5th), Lower Dauphin (12th), Central Dauphin (13th), Carlisle (17th) and Chambersburg (18th). Hempfield is ranked No. 1. . .